Page 14 - Pakistan Link - April 21, 2023

P14 - PAKISTAN LINK - APRIL 21, 2023 COMMUNITY
n By Elaine Pasquini California Lawmakers Celebrate the things that make us great Ameri-
Photos by Phil Pasquini cans. And it is with that concept of the
Ramadan with Muslim Community American dream that all of us belong
SACRAMENTO: The Council on regardless of what happens anywhere
American-Islamic
Relations, California
Chapter (CAIR-CA)
celebrated the holy
month of Ramadan
with its annual iftar –
the meal after sunset
that concludes Muslims’ daylong fast
– co-hosted by speaker of the Califor-
nia State Assembly Anthony Rendon
(D-Lakewood), at the Sacramento state
Capitol Rotunda on April 10.
This 17th annual Ramadan iftar She reminded the audience that power our community but other com- charge, get in touch with where that else. Regardless of the actions of one
was the first held at the Capitol since Ramadan is a time for community munities as well.” empty space in their heart may really person; regardless of misunderstand-
2019 when the Covid-19 pandemic members to reach out to their neigh- Elkarra went on to explain the be coming from and to connect with ings; we work towards improving that
American dream and what that poten-
tial American dream holds.
Noting that he is the son of Leba-
nese immigrants, Essayli said it is a tes-
tament to the United States that the son
of immigrants who came to California
from a country with nothing can end
up in the state legislature. “In what oth-
er country is that possible?” he asked.
The newly elected assemblyman
recently authored Assembly Concur-
rent Resolution (ACR) 22 to express
the California Legislature’s respect for
prevented such in-person gatherings. bors and build bridges for understand- meaning of Ramadan and its impor- the things that matter most in life,” the Muslims across the state and through-
Omar Altamimi, CAIR-CA’s poli- ing and solidarity. The gathering in tance to Muslims worldwide. “This is senator stated. out the world and acknowledge the
cy and advocacy coordinator based out the Capitol, she said, is a “wonderful the month that we feel how the less for- Senator Aisha Wahab, author of Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
of the Sacramento Valley and Central opportunity to come together as one tunate feel and their struggles,” he said. Senate bill SB 461 that allows people to Essayli believes it is important to
California office, was the program em- community to share in the blessings of “It’s a time for families and communi- choose whatever holiday they want to break down the barrier between differ-
cee and one of the hard-working orga- Ramadan and to deepen our bonds of ties to come together.” celebrate as a day off for state employ- ent communities and the best way to
nizers of the evening event. friendship and cooperation. May this He noted that in mosques ees, mentioned how proud she is to be do that is to dispel the notion of ‘other-
The program began with a Qur’an gathering be a source of inspiration, throughout California when Muslims the first Muslim American to serve in ness’ that separates people. “We should
recitation on the subject of fasting dur- enlightenment, and unity for us all.” gather for nightly prayers one-30th of the California state Senate, but added focus on our similarities…and we can
ing the holy month of Ramadan by CAIR Sacramento Valley/Cen- the Qur’an is read every evening so that she wouldn’t be the last. have healthy and respectful discussion
Imam Abdullah of the Muslim Ameri- tral Valley executive director Basim that when the month is over the entire I want to highlight the diversity about our differences. But we should
can Society Community and Youth Elkarra pointed out that history had Qur’an has been recited. in our communities. The Muslim com- dispel this notion of otherness.”
Center in Elk Grove, California. been made with the election of the first Rabbi Seth Castleman, director munity is not one color; it’s not one Other attendees and speakers in-
Next, Khydeeja Alam Javid, presi- Muslim-American Senator Aisha Wa- of the Exodus Project, mentioned the gender; there’s not one viewpoint; it’s cluded West Sacramento Mayor Mar-
dent of the CAIR Sacramento Valley/ hab (D-Hayward), who is also the first convergence this year of Easter, Pass- not one language. We stand here today tha Guerrero, Folsom Vice Mayor YK
Central Valley Chapter, welcomed the Afghan-American woman elected to over and Ramadan, which happens next to each other for different reasons. Chalamcherla, Elk Grove Vice Mayor
150 community members and guests public office in the United States. only once every 30 years. “All three Some of us came here to support the Kevin Spease and Josh Becker (D-San
gathered in the Capitol Rotunda be- Elkarra also noted that Assem- traditions talk about renunciation, de- Muslim community. Some of us came Mateo).
neath the historic dome. blymember Bill Essayli (R-Riverside) is votion and aligning one’s own will with here to seek representation. Some of Following the reception, guests
“We come together today to hon- the first Muslim in history to be elected the will of the Divine,” he added. us came here to show our children enjoyed a fast-breaking dinner at
or the values of compassion, unity, and to the California State Assembly. While Senator Dave Cortese (D- that anything is possible. But we came CAIR’s Sacramento office and new art
generosity that is at the heart of Rama- “Our Muslim community is a very San Jose) was raised Catholic, he told here united in the thought that in this gallery.
dan,” Javid said. “This month is a time vibrant and diverse community with the crowd that he believes Ramadan country it does not matter where you (Elaine Pasquini is a freelance
of reflection, self-improvement, and both Democrats and Republicans,” he carries a universal message – for Mus- come from; it only matters what you journalist. Her reports appear in the
spiritual renewal for millions of Mus- said. “We all respect one another and lims and non-Muslims. “Everyone can plan to do with your life. Loving each Washington Report on Middle East
lims around the world.” work together to uplift and not just em- benefit from some time to reflect, re- other, respecting each other. These are Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)

n By Edna Tarigan and Mariam Fam Muslims around the World Consider phasizing recycling and using dona-
J akarta, Indonesia: In the heart of Climate during Ramadan tions to fund clean energy projects.
For the world to limit the effects
of climate change — which is already
Jakarta, the grand Istiqlal Mosque
was built with a vision for it to
stand for a thousand years. causing worsening droughts, floods
and heat waves — the use of dirty fu-
The mosque was conceived by hopes that Islam's holiest month, when els for electricity and transport, pet-
Soekarno, Indonesia’s founding father, the faithful flock to mosques in greater rochemicals to make products like
and was designed as an impressive numbers, can provide momentum to plastics and the emissions from food
symbol for the country's indepen- Istiqlal's solar project through dona- waste in landfills all need to be drasti-
dence. Its seven gates — representing tions. cally slashed, scientists say. Though in-
the seven heavens in Islam — welcome The mosque's climate push is just dividual initiatives are just a small part
visitors from across the archipelago one example of different “Green Ra- of that transition, experts say growing
and the world into the mosque's lofty madan” initiatives in Indonesia and momentum behind climate goals can
interior. around the world that promote an ar- have an effect.
But they don't just see the light ray of changes during the Muslim holy Groups taking an Islamic-based
here. It fuels them. month, which has fasting and, in many approach often highlight environmen-
A major renovation in 2019 in- cases, feasting elements as people gath- tal understandings of certain Qur’anic
stalled upwards of 500 solar panels er to break their fasts. verses and sayings and practices of
on the mosque's expansive roof, now In a month where restraint and Prophet Muhammad about the earth,
a major and clean source of Istiqlal's charity are emphasized, recommenda- water and against wastefulness.
electricity. And this Ramadan, the tions can include using less water while Last year, at a meeting of the Mus-
mosque has encouraged an energy performing the ritual washing before lim Congress for Sustainable Indone-
waqf — a type of donation in Islam Groups taking an Islamic-based approach often highlight environmental un- prayers, replacing plastic bottles and sia, the country’s vice president Ma’ruf
that continues to bear fruit over time derstandings of certain Qur’anic verses and sayings and practices of Prophet cutlery during community iftars with Amin called on clerics and community
— to grow its capacity to make renew- Muhammad about the earth, water and against wastefulness reusable ones and reducing food waste. leaders “to play an active role in con-
able power. Other suggestions include carpooling veying issues related to environmental
Her Pramtama, deputy head of the Ri’ayah — or building manage- ment — division of Istiqlal Mosque, to mosques, using local produce, em- damage” and asked for concrete action
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